Natural Wonders of Australia: Uluru to Great Barrier Reef
Natural Wonders of Australia: A Journey Through Iconic Landscapes
Australia’s natural wonders span a breathtaking range of landscapes—from the red heart of Uluru and the striped domes of the Bungle Bungles to the ancient rainforests of the Daintree and alpine beauty of Cradle Mountain. Along the coasts, pristine coral reefs like the Great Barrier and Ningaloo teem with marine life, while cascading waterfalls and vibrant wildflowers add seasonal color inland. Each site tells a story of deep ecological heritage and cultural significance, inviting travelers to explore with care, respect Indigenous knowledge, and help preserve these extraordinary environments for future generations.
Natural Landmarks in New South Wales (NSW)
Landmark Name
Location / Address
Opening Hours
Natural Highlights
Visitor Tips
Australia Rock
Bar Rock Road, North Narooma, NSW 2546
Always open
Coastal rock formation shaped like the Australian continent
Easy walk from Bar Rock Lookout; best viewed at sunrise or sunset for dramatic lighting
Blue Mountains Hiking
Blue Mountains National Park, NSW
Always open
Sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, and deep valleys
Explore Scenic World, Grand Canyon Track, and Three Sisters Walk; ideal for day hikes or weekend trips
Cape Byron
Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay, NSW 2481
Always open
Easternmost point of mainland Australia with sweeping ocean views
Walk the Cape Byron track to the lighthouse; great for sunrise and whale watching in winter
Crystal Shower Falls
Waterfall Way, Dorrigo Mountain, NSW 2453
Daylight hours
Walk-behind waterfall in Gondwana rainforest
Start from Dorrigo Rainforest Centre; combine with Wonga Walk for a longer rainforest loop
Ebor Falls
Ebor Walking Track, Ebor, NSW 2453
Daylight hours
Twin-tiered waterfall plunging into a gorge
Multiple lookouts and picnic areas; best after rain; accessible via Waterfall Way
Ellenborough Falls
Ellenborough Falls Road, Elands, NSW 2429
Always open
200m single-drop waterfall in lush gorge
641-step walk to base; viewing platforms at top and opposite side; kiosk and picnic area available
Fitzroy Falls
1301 Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls, NSW 2577
Daylight hours
81m waterfall into Yarrunga Valley; surrounded by wildflowers and forest
Visit the award-winning Visitor Centre; explore East and West Rim walking tracks
Jenolan Caves
4655 Jenolan Caves Rd, Jenolan, NSW 2790
Tour hours only
Ancient limestone caves with underground rivers and crystal formations
Book guided tours in advance; stay overnight at historic Caves House
Mount Kosciuszko
Kosciuszko Walk, Kosciuszko, NSW 2624
Daylight hours (seasonal)
Australia’s highest peak with alpine meadows and glacial lakes
Hike from Thredbo or Charlotte Pass; snow sports in winter; wildflowers in summer
Mungo National Park
Mungo Foreshore Walk, Mungo, NSW 2715
Always open (weather dependent)
Ancient lake beds, lunettes, and Aboriginal heritage sites
4WD recommended; join Aboriginal-guided tours; visit Walls of China at sunset
Royal National Park
Audley Road, Audley, NSW 2232
Always open
Coastal cliffs, beaches, rainforest, and waterfalls
Explore the Coast Track; picnic at Wattamolla; swim at Garie Beach
The Three Sisters
Echo Point Road, Katoomba, NSW 2780
Always open
Iconic sandstone formation overlooking Jamison Valley
Visit Echo Point Lookout; walk the Giant Stairway; learn about Aboriginal legend
Tia Falls
Brookside Road, Walcha, NSW 2354
Always open
Remote waterfall in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
Short walk to lookout; picnic area nearby; spot wallabies and rosellas
Wollomombi Waterfall
145 Miller Street, Armidale, NSW 2350
Always open
One of Australia’s tallest waterfalls in a dramatic gorge
Walk to Eagle View and Chandler Falls lookouts; picnic and birdwatching opportunities
Natural Landmarks in the Northern Territory (NT)
Name
Address
Opening Hours
Landscape Highlights
Visitor Info
Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu)
Stuart Hwy, Wauchope
Always open
Giant granite boulders in a desert plain
Sacred Aboriginal site; best seen at sunrise/sunset
Florence Falls
Litchfield National Park
Daylight hours
Twin falls into monsoon forest swimming hole
Short walk to plunge pool; popular for swimming
Gunlom Falls and Pool
Kakadu National Park
Daylight hours
Cascading falls and infinity-edge top pool
4WD access required; dry season only
Jim Jim Falls
Kakadu National Park
Seasonal (Dry Season)
Sheer waterfall in a sandstone gorge
4WD and hiking required; not accessible in wet season
Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Gorge)
Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine
Daylight hours
Towering sandstone cliffs along Katherine River
Canoe hire and boat cruises available
Kings Canyon
Watarrka National Park
Always open
Sandstone canyon with domes and cliffs
6 km Rim Walk offers best views; start early
Southern Rockhole
Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine
Daylight hours
Seasonal waterfall and swimming hole
4 km return hike from Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
Yulara, Central Australia
Park hours apply
Uluru monolith and Kata Tjuṯa domes
Entry fee required; sunrise/sunset viewing platforms
Watarrka National Park
Near Kings Canyon
Always open
Red rock cliffs, gorges, and domed formations
Access via sealed road; ranger talks available
Natural Landmarks in Queensland (QLD)
Name
Address
Opening Hours
Landscape Highlights
Visitor Info
Barron Falls
Kuranda, Barron Gorge NP
Daylight hours
Powerful waterfall in rainforest gorge
Best during wet season; Skyrail or Kuranda Scenic Railway access
Blencoe Falls
Girringun NP, west of Cardwell
Always open (remote)
Remote tiered waterfall in rugged wilderness
4WD access; camp nearby
Daintree Rainforest
Cape Tribulation and surrounds
Always open
Ancient rainforest with mangroves and mountains
Guided walks and eco tours available
Great Barrier Reef
Off the QLD coast
Tour-dependent
Coral reefs teeming with marine life
Access via Cairns, Airlie Beach, and Port Douglas
Heart Reef (Hardy Reef)
Whitsundays
Scenic flights only
Heart-shaped coral reef in turquoise lagoon
No snorkelling allowed; aerial views only
Millaa Millaa Falls
Atherton Tablelands
Always open
Iconic rainforest waterfall surrounded by ferns
Part of the waterfall circuit; picnic area onsite
Noosa Everglades
Great Sandy NP, near Noosa
Daylight hours
Mirror-like waters and lush wetland flora
Best explored by kayak or boat tour
Wallaman Falls
Girringun NP, near Ingham
Daylight hours
Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall
Viewing platform; hike to base for full experience
Whitsunday Islands
Off Airlie Beach
Tour/ferry dependent
White sand beaches, coral reefs, and tropical waters
Includes Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
Natural Landmarks in South Australia (SA)
Name
Address
Opening Hours
Landscape Highlights
Visitor Info
Admirals Arch, Flinders Chase NP
Kangaroo Island
Daylight hours
Coastal rock arch on cliff edge
Near Cape du Couedic Lighthouse; fur seals nearby
Blue Lake (Mount Gambier)
Mount Gambier
Always open
Crater lake that turns bright blue in summer
Walking path around lake; info boards available
Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges NP
Always open
Rugged mountains, gorges, and ancient geology
Scenic drives and Indigenous cultural tours available
Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda)
Outback SA
Always open
Dry salt lake that occasionally floods
Flights from William Creek or Marree
Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase NP
Kangaroo Island
Daylight hours
Sculptural granite boulders atop cliff
Short walk from car park; best at golden hour
Umpherston Sinkhole
Mount Gambier
Always open
Sunken cave garden with terraces and vines
Lit at night; steps and platforms throughout
Wilpena Pound
Flinders Ranges
Always open
Natural amphitheatre of mountains
Hiking, scenic flights, and Aboriginal heritage walks availablev
Natural Landmarks in Tasmania (TAS)
Name
Address
Opening Hours
Landscape Highlights
Visitor Info
Bay of Fires
East Coast (Binalong Bay area)
Always open
Orange-lichen boulders, white sand beaches
Free camping nearby; best explored by car or walking
Cataract Gorge
Launceston
Daylight hours
Clifftop paths, river rapids, gardens
Chairlift and pool; close to town
Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair NP
Central Highlands
Park hours
Alpine peaks, glacial lakes, and forest trails
Entry fee required; Dove Lake Circuit is most popular
Horseshoe Falls
Mount Field National Park
Daylight hours
Compact rainforest waterfall
Short walk from Russell Falls
Liffey Falls
Central TAS, near Deloraine
Daylight hours
Tiered falls in temperate rainforest
Well-formed walking track and picnic area
Montezuma Falls
West Coast, near Rosebery
Daylight hours
Tasmania’s tallest waterfall via forest trail
Easy-grade 3-hour return walk
Russell Falls
Mount Field National Park
Daylight hours
Iconic tiered falls in fern-filled gully
Short accessible path from visitor centre
Wineglass Bay
Freycinet Peninsula
Always open
Curved bay with white sand and turquoise water
1.5–2 hr walk to lookout; longer circuit available
Natural Landmarks in Victoria (VIC)
Name
Address
Opening Hours
Landscape Highlights
Visitor Info
Dandongadale Falls
Alpine NP, near Whitfield
Always open
Victoria’s tallest waterfall (seasonal flow)
Best after rain; unsealed road access
Grampians National Park
Western VIC, Halls Gap region
Always open
Mountain peaks, waterfalls, and sandstone ridges
Great walks, Aboriginal art sites, and lookouts
Great Otway National Park
Southwest coast
Always open
Rainforest, cliffs, waterfalls
Includes Maits Rest and Hopetoun Falls
Loch Ard Gorge
Port Campbell NP, Great Ocean Road
Daylight hours
Cliff-lined cove with shipwreck history
Walks to other formations like Razorback and Thunder Cave
Mackenzie Falls
Grampians NP
Daylight hours
Strong-flowing falls year-round
Steep steps to base; lookout also available
Twelve Apostles
Great Ocean Road
Always open
Iconic limestone sea stacks rising from the ocean
Visitor centre, boardwalks, and viewing platforms
Natural Landmarks in Western Australia (WA)
Name
Address
Opening Hours
Landscape Highlights
Visitor Info
Bungle Bungles (Purnululu NP)
Kimberley, WA
Park hours (dry season)
Beehive-shaped striped sandstone domes
4WD or scenic flights only; guided walks available
Horizontal Falls
Talbot Bay, Kimberley
Tour access only
Tidal flow through coastal gorges
Tours by boat or seaplane from Derby or Broome
Karijini National Park
Pilbara region
Always open
Red gorges, pools, waterfalls
Campgrounds and swimming spots; Dales Gorge a highlight
Kimberley Coastline
NW WA
Remote access
Rugged cliffs, islands, waterfalls
Cruise or expedition access only
King George Falls
Kimberley
Seasonal
Twin falls off remote sandstone cliffs
Accessible by cruise ship or scenic flight
Lake Hillier
Middle Island, Recherche Archipelago
Aerial view only
Bright pink salt lake next to deep blue sea
Seen via flights from Esperance
Mitchell Falls
Mitchell River NP
Dry season only
Multi-tiered waterfall on remote plateau
Hike or helicopter; camping nearby
Mount Augustus
Gascoyne region
Always open
World’s largest monolith
Hiking, scenic drives; remote location
Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay
Coral Coast
Always open
Coral reef close to shore with whale sharks
Tours from Exmouth and Coral Bay
The Pinnacles, Nambung NP
Cervantes
Park hours
Limestone spires in yellow desert
Drive-through loop or walk; visitor centre onsite
Turquoise Bay
Cape Range NP, near Exmouth
Always open
Clear blue water and vibrant coral close to shore
Popular for drift snorkelling
Valley of the Giants
Walpole
Daylight hours
Giant red tingle trees with canopy walk
Entry fee for Tree Top Walk; forest walks nearby
Wave Rock
Hyden, Wheatbelt
Always open
Curved granite wave-shaped rock formation
Short walk from car park; interpretive signage
Wharton Beach
Near Esperance
Always open
White sand and vivid turquoise waters
Ideal for swimming and beach photography
Protecting Australia’s Natural Wonders for Future Generations
Exploring these stunning natural landmarks is more than just sightseeing—it’s a chance to connect deeply with the environment and the history that shapes it. Therefore, it’s vital to respect these fragile ecosystems and honour the cultural heritage they represent. By doing so, we help preserve Australia’s natural treasures for future generations to enjoy. Whether you’re seeking adventure, peace, or inspiration, the natural wonders of Australia offer endless opportunities to immerse yourself in nature’s magnificence. So get ready to explore, tread lightly, and be inspired by the incredible landscapes that define this extraordinary continent.
Nature Lover’s Corner: Hidden Gems & Grand Landmarks
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